Float valve



May 21, 1946. H E MALQNE 2,400,560

FLOAT VALVE Filed April 26, 1943 INVENTOR HEIIVIER E MALNE BY Jag M4Q/wa ATTORNEYS Patented May 21, 1946 FLOAT VALVE' Homer E. Malone,Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to VPerfex Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., arcorporation of Wisconsin Application April 26, 1943,Y serial No. 484,535

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to liquid vlevel controls, and moreparticularly to controls for supplying liquid fuel to vaporization typeoil burners. In this type of apparatus a float is employed forcontrolling an inlet valve yto a float chamber so as to maintain aconstant level, this maintaining a constant head on a metering valvewhich meters the ow of oil to the burner. In order to meet existingsafety requirements in the trade, it is necessary that provision be madefor positively closing the inlet valve in case it should leak and permitthe oil level in the float chamber to rise a predetermined amount abovethe normal constant level. It is also necessary to provide against floatfailure. That is, to cause closure of the inlet valve in case the floatshould leak and sink. In the past, the incorporating of the above safetyfeatures has required either additional expensive and delicate shut-ofimechanism or resort to a double-seated inlet valve which involvesconsiderable difiiculties in manufacture.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple anddependable float valve embodying the required safety features.

Thisl result is obtained byuse of a single open float and by a singlebiased closed inlet valve. The oat acts during normal operation to openthe val-ve against its bias when the oil level lowers and thus maintainsa substantially constant level. If the inlet valve fails to hold, theliquid level rises above the normal level and overflows into the float,causing it to sink. This sinkingmotion and the weight of the oat isutilized through a motion reversing mechanism to force the inlet valveclosed'. This arrangement requires a strain release mechanism betweenthe float and valve member.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a simple andcompact strain release mechanism which permits a valve member to beactuated by two separate actuators.V

A further object of the invention is theY provision of an arrangement bywhich the float when sunk in the oil may be emptied without removal ofany parts of the float valve mechanism.

Other objects will appear from the following description and theap-pended claims.

For a full disclosure of the invention, reference is made to thefollowing detailed description and to the accompanying drawing, inVwhich Fig. 1 shows an elevation, partly in section, of a complete floatvalve embodying the invention;`

Fig. 2 is a top View of the device shown in Fig. 1 with the coverremoved; v i

Fig. 3 is a top View, partly in section, showing thethermostaticactuator for the metering valve; and

Fie.` 4 is a in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, lreference character lindisectional view of theinlet valve shown cates generally a float valve casing. This casingisdivided into a strainer chamber 2 and a constant level orfloat'chamber 3` by a horizontal partition 4. A dam 5 separates theiloat chamber 3 from an outlet chamber 6. A float l is located inthe,oat` chamber and serves to position an inlet Valve 8; which controls theflow of oil through a valve port, l0 which is formed in a fitting llscrewed into the partition 4. AOil flows into the filter chamber 2through an inlet l2: and passes through a lter i3. and valve port l0into the float chamber 3. It will be noted that the filter chamber 2 isprovided with an open end which is closed by a plug l5 which cooperatesin maintaining the filter in place.v

The` oil passes'from the float` chamber 3. through intersecting bores I6and l1 in the casing to. a metering valve port I8. which is formed in afiat plate I9 secured in a fluid-tight manner to the casing. Themetering valve port lais covered by a rotary metering valve member 2.0which is secured. to the reduced portion 2| of a rotary metering valveshaft 22 which extends upwardly through the outlet chamber 5. Thereduced portion 2l extends` through an opening in the plate I9 andr thevalve casing, this serving to hold the lower .end of theshaft 22y inplace. The upper end of the shaft 212 extends through an opening Zformed in the cover plate 25 of the valve casing. This upperportion issplit to provide a slot 26. This slot at its lower end receives a stopmember 2l which extends outwardly from each side of the shaft, as shownin Fig.v 2. A cross member 28 extends from sidetoside of the valvecasing and is provided with` a circular opening 29 (Fig. 2) and servesasa guide for the upper portion of the valve shaft. Thiscross member issecured to the sides of the-casing by screws 30 which are received inbosses formed on the casing side walls. The cross member 28A isprovidedl with downwardly extending projections 324 and 33 which receivestop screws 34 and 35 which cooperate with the stop memberv 21YA in,-limitingrotary movement of the valve shaft. The cross piece 28 alsoreceives one endof a spiralspringg'lwhich surrounds the valve shaft,'having its other endsecured to the shaftA for biasing; the shaftin a clockwise direction as seen in Fig.'2, thus normally maintainingthe stop member v21 in engagement with the stop screw 3-2. As shown inFig. 2, the rotary Vof insulating material.

that the valve port maybe uncovered by theyalve member. The stop screw34 therefore serves as a low flame orrpilot adjustment, While the stop gY Y by members'62 and 63 of the float lever 50. Y The screw 35 serves asafhigh lreadjustment for the burner. t Secured to the cover 25'is ahousing 40 formed This housingsupports a bimetallic element 4| which ismounted in a vertical plane and which extends generallyV hori-VvZontally across the top of the casing. @The vfree end of this element issecured to an actuator542.

which abuts a crank arm 43 which is secured to the valve actuating shaft22. This element is provided with an electric heater 44 having Yleads 45and 45 which are attached to terminals 41 and148 carried rby the housing40. heater 44 is deenergized the thermostatic element 4| assumes theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 3. At this time the stop member 21assumes the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 in which it abuts thestop screw 32 and thus the opening of -the metering valve is at aminimum for provid'-Y ing low or pilot flame. When the electric heater144 is energized, the bimetallic element 4| warps to the position shownin dotted lines in Fig. 3, thus rotatingV the wmetering valve shaftcounter-clockwise until the 'stop member'21 engages Y the stop screw 35as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This opens the metering valve to-anV extent determined by the stopscrew 35 and thus provides arelatively high oil iiow for causing the burner to operate at highflame.

'I'he metering valve constructionr and control arrangement abovedescribed form the subject matter of the application of Homer E. Maloneand Clarence H. Traver, Serial No. 484,536, lled This inlet valveconsists of a valve member'having an enlarged head portion 5I) and anelongated stem portion 5| of a diameter smaller than the head portion.This stem portion 5| is threaded and engagingr the under-surface of theange 51. The pivot pin 6| is carried by bracket members 54 and 65 whichare formed on across piece 66 which extends from side to side of thecasing and which is secured in placeby screws 51 which iit into bossesformed in the casing side walls.

The cross member 55 is also formed to provide a bracket 68 whichreceivesapivotl pinlil. 'This pivotpin ,carries a safetycut-off-lever 1|which overli'es the valve memberand which vis provided With a slot 12receiving a pivot pin 13 carried 1 cutoff lever 1| is provided withan'adjustable When the electric Y near its upper endat 52 and receives aguidingk Y nut 53. Surrounding the stem portion 5| and spaced therefromis a sleeve member 55. t. This sleeveV member is provided with an`in-turned guide portion 56at its lower end which extends inwardlyV intocontact with the stem portion 5|.

spring 58 is interposed between thek stem portion 5| and the sleevemember 55.V The upper end of the spring abuts the nut 53 rand the lowerkber andthe valve member .50 move as a unit.

The sleeve 55 is also provided with a angef51 at its upper end foractuation by the float. Ay

screw 14 which is arranged for engagement with .Vaniextension15 of theinlet valve `stem 5|. ThisV screw 14 is adjusted so that a slight spaceisv present between it and the extension 15 when VVl theoat is in thevposition corresponding ytohnor-vk mal oil level.

' InA operation, the partsY normally assume theV The weight of thepositions shownv inY Fig. l. Vinlet valve assembly is sufficient toclose the valveport l5 and prevent entryl o f` oil intothe floatchamber, thisrweight serving to Vbiasthe valve closed. When the oillevel drops slightly from the desired or predetermined level thetfloatlowers, this rocking the'oat'lever 55- counter-` clockwise about itspivotfl thereby raising the inlet valve assembly 8 vfrom its seat and`permitting oil to flow into the float, chamber. As `the oilflevelrises, the float'rises accordingly, thus permitting the valve assemblyto approach its rise inl oil, level; Willfeov result 'in ihebil ,Hring Ythrough an opening ,11- inthe oat.. This causesV the float tosink. j Y.Y The initial sinking movement of Ythefloal 1 will raise the inletvalve assembly to wide open'position,v thereby providing a maximum Vflowotf'tuoil for flushing off the valve member and seat. .Y As the ioatsinks the pin 13 on the float level-60. is Y carried7 downwardly,thereby causing vrotation of the safety cut-off leverY .1|counter-clockwise, this bringing the screw 14 into engagement with theextension 15-v and forcing thevalvestem 5| Vand Y valve member 50downwardly for shutting oftther iiow of oil. Atthis time the valve lever601 is,V

raising the sleeve .55 upwardly.Y This relative movement vbetween :thevalve member and sleeve is permitted by yielding'of the spring 58.VDuring Y this relative movement, the parts are'leldin alignment bytheinturned guide portion v56 ofthe sleeve 55 andi-by nut'53. 5

I It win be noted that. when the noatsmesfth actuator` or. safetycut-off lever 1| providesfora greatly Yincreased mechanical advantagebetween the float and valve member than is providedby YVthe iioat isapplied to the valve membergv-instead Thepurpose of this arrangementwill. become 2, the float leverArB consists of separate spaced apartmembers |52 and 6K3, theseY membersL ex-f tending on oppositesidesl ofvvthehinlet'valve-B the va1ve-lever60 during nonnal-operation-{Inaddition, the entireweight or'.displacementv of orf/simply a slightdisplacement as occurs during normaloperation. .Asfa result ftheiioatwhen sunk'a'nd acting through the ,safety cut-off meansr appliesa'much greaterl clo'sin'grforce to the valve than is'lprovided.simplyVbyfthe weight'oftheY valve member. .This insures ,thatfthe valve "willclose' tightly for completely. cutting. off. the vilow oi oillnto theiloatchamberg.Y

In order to re-set the valve for normal operation, the cover 25 isremoved by removing screws 80. 'Ihe float is then raised and rotatedabout pivot 6I until the oilruns out of the iioatl back into the floatchamber. During this movement the pin and slot connection 'l2-13 betweenthe float lever 60 and cut-off lever 'H of the lever means provides forthe necessary relative movement between these levers. After the iioat isemptied it is allowed to drop back in place and the cover 25 isreplaced. The valve is then ready for further operation.

It should be noted that by removal of screws 61 thecross member 66 maybe removed. This cross member carries the float, iioat arm, and safetycut-off lever. Thus this assembly may be removed as a unit, therebyproviding for easy access to the valve member for cleaning or regrindingthe valve surfaces.

It should also be noted that the metering Valve port I8 is located wellabove the bottom of the float chamber 3. This serves to retainsufficient oil in the float chamber to keep the oat iioating above therpoint at which it closes the valve .through the safety cut-off lever.Thus if the oil supply becomes exhausted the float chamber will notempty and cause closure of the inlet valve through the safety cut-offlever.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present`vinvention provides an extremely simple arrangement for insuring safetycut-off in case the inlet valve should leak. It will also` be apparentthat this invention provides a novel strain release valve memberassembly which permits actuation of the Valve member by separateactuators. It will also be seen that the invention provides a simplearrangement which permits the entire inlet valve assembly to be easilyremoved for cleaning or repairing. While a preferred form of theinvention has been shown and described, many modifications within thescope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Itis therefore desired to be limited only by the scope of theappendedplaims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a safety constant level control mechanism, a casing providing afloat chamber and an inlet port therefor, a valve member associated withsaid port, said valve member having a head portion and an elongated stemportion of reduced diameter as compared to the head portion, a sleevemember having an internal diameter greater than said stem portion andtted over said stem portion, guide means on one end of the sleevemember, said guide means extending inwardly for engaging the stemportion, guide means on the stem portion extending outwardly forengaging the sleeve member, a coil spring interposed between the stemportion and sleeve member, said coil spring yieldably forcing said guidemeans apart for holding said sleeve member and said head portion inengagement, an open oat in said chamber, lever means actuated by saidoat and arranged to engage said sleeve portion for raising the valvemember from its seat as the 1iquid falls below a predetermined level,means for causing said float to ll and sink if the liquid rises apredetermined amount above said predetermined level, and motionreversing means associated with said lever means for transmittingsinking movement of the float directly to said valve stem portion forforcing the valve closed.

2. A strain release valve comprising a stationary valve seat, a valvemember cooperating with said seat, said valve member having a headportion and an elongated stem portion of reduced diameter as comparedtothe head portion, a sleeve member having -an f internal diametergreater than said'stem portion and fitted over said stem portion, guidemeans on the end of the sleeve member adjacent the head portion, saidguide means extending inwardly for engaging the stem portion, guidemeans on the stem portion extending outwardly for engaging the Isleevemember, a coil spring interposed between the stem portion and sleevemember, said coil spring yieldably forcing said guide means apart forholding saidsleeve member and said head portion in engagement, anactuator engaging the sleeve member for shifting the valve memberrelative to said seat, and means adapted to engage the stem portion forholding the valve againstr its seat irrespective of said actuator.

3. A strain release valve comprising, a stationary valve seat, a valvemember'cooperating with said seat and having an elongated stem portion,a sleeve member surrounding the stem portion and spaced therefrom, guidemeans on the sleeve member extending inwardly for engaging the stemportion, a coil spring interposed between the stem portion and sleevemember, guide means on the stemportion extending outwardly for engagingthe sleeve, said spring having one-end bearing against one of said guidemeans and its other end bearing against the other of said guidemeans-stop means between the sleeve member and stem portion formaintaining stress on said spring and normally holding said stem portionand sleeve member in predetermined relationship, an actuator engagingthe sleeve member for shifting the valve member relative to said seat,and means adapted to engage the stem portion for holding the valveagainst its seat irrespective of said actuator.

4. In a control device, the combination of, a stationary Valve seat, avalve member associated with said seat, said valve member having a valvestem, a sleeve surrounding said valve stem, means including a springinterposed between said sleeve and valve stem for holding said sleeveand valve stem in fixed but yieldable relationship, first actuatingmeans for actuating said sleeve and second actuating means for actuatingsaid valve stem.

5. In a safety constant level control mechanism, a casing providing aiioat chamber and an inlet port therefor, a valve member associated withsaid port, said valve member having a valve stem, an open float in saidchamber, first actuating means including lever means actuated by saidfloat and arranged to cause gradual movement of the valve member fromits seat as the liquid falls below a predetermined level, means forcausing the float to fill and sink if the liquid rises a predeterminedamount above said predetermined level, second actuating means includingmotion reversing means associated with said lever means for causingsinking movement of the float to cause closing movement of the valvemember, and a spring surrounding said valve stem for transmitting themotion of said first actuating means toy said valve member, said springyielding to permit the second actuating means to hold the valve memberagainst its seat.

6. In a safety constant level control mechanism, a casing providing aIioat chamber and an inlet port therefor, a valve member associated withsaid port, said valve member having a valve stem, a sleeve surroundingsaid valve stem;

' means AincludingV a spring interposed between stemY element, a sleeveelement surrounding the valve stem element, a spring interposedbetweensaid elements forholding themrin fixed but yieldable relationship,Y ailoat, ,means' actuated by said oat and engaging one of said elementsfor operating the valve member to maintain a substantially constantliquid level, and safety means adapted to engage the other of saidelements for'forcing the valve member to closed position.

-8. In a safetyconstant level control mechanism, a casing providing afloat chamber and an inlet port therefor,V a valve member associatedwith said port, said valve member having a valve stem, a sleevesurrounding said valve stem, means,

including a spring interposed between the sleeve and valve stem Yforholding the sleeve and valve stem in xed but yieldable relationship, anopen float in said chamber, a float lever carrying vsaid oat andengagingsaid sleeve for actuating said valve member throughA the springto maintain a predetermined liquid level, a safety cut-off leveradjacent the valve stem, means for causing said float toll and sinkwhenthe liquid level risesja predetermined-amount above said predetermined Ylevel,and a'pin andslot connection between the iioat lever and safetycut-01T lever arranged to Y transmitsinking movement of the float to thesafety'cut-oft V'lever in a direction to forcethe valve member againstits seat, said pin adslot connection permitting rotation'of the floatVleverfor'dumping the float without Vinterference by said-safety'cut-offlever. f

9. In a safety constant level "control mechanism, -a casing providing afloat chamber and an inlet portl therefor', a .valve member associatedWith said port,v said valve member having a valve stem', an Vopen floatin said chamber, a float lever carrying said float A'and engaging thevalve stem for actuating the same to maintain a predetermined liquidlevel, a safety Acut-oi lever arranged to engage the valve stem, meansfor causing said oatto lland sink when ltheV liquid level rises a npredetermined amount above said predetermined level, 'and a pin and`slot connectionV between theY iloat lever and *safety cut-oiflever'arrangedfto transmit sinking movement of the float to the safetycut-offleverfin la direction torforce-the valve member against its seat,said'pin and -slot i connection permitting rotation ofthe oat fordumping the'same Without interference by said safety cvsu't-off lever.

'a f'fHoMER'E'. MALONE. a Y

